You’ll have to forgive Jefferson County Republicans for their over-the-top enthusiasm but they believe with Congressman Cory Gardner at the top of their ticket this might be the year They. Could. Go. All. The. Way.

Republicans of all ages mobbed Gardner when he showed up today for a victory rally at the GOP’s Jeffco office just off of Denver West Parkway. It was the same story when Republicans today rallied in Littleton, Thornton and Highlands Ranch.

“It feels like for once we’re going to win and that feels really good,” Scott Hammett of Golden said.

Also speaking to the crowd in Lakewood was governor hopeful Bob Beauprez, secretary of state candidate Wayne Williams, State Treasurer Walker Stapleton and congressional candidate Don Ytterberg.

“We call this guarded optimism,” Ytterberg, the former Jeffco GOP chair, said of how far the Republicans are ahead in turning in their ballots.

Candidates from three U.S. House districts debated on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, at the Metro North Chamber of Commerce’s forum in Thornton. From right are George Leing, Rep. Jared Polis, Don Ytterberg, Rep. Ed Perlmutter, Rep. Mike Coffman and Andrew Romanoff. (Jon Murray, The Denver Post)

U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman’s suggestion of an alternative to the federal gas tax to help pay for road projects drew criticism from fellow Rep. Jared Polis Tuesday morning during a breakfast debate involving six candidates. They are seeking U.S. House seats in the 2nd, 6th and 7th congressional districts.

An interesting dynamic played out on stage during the Metro North Chamber of Commerce’s debate in Thornton: Coffman, the only Republican incumbent and the only incumbent locked in a tight race, faced what seemed like a Democratic tag-team effort between his opponent, Andrew Romanoff, Polis and Rep. Ed Perlmutter.

The gas tax, which hasn’t been increased since 1993, was the focus of the first question by moderator Floyd Ciruli, a political consultant. The gas tax has particular resonance in the north Denver suburbs and northern Colorado because of the need for widening and other fixes along the congested I-25 corridor.

Ciruli asked if Congress should increase the tax to deal with mounting highway needs. Another factor is that vehicles have gotten more fuel-efficient. Read more…

Good news for Republican Don Ytterberg, who has the unenviable task of trying to knock off Democratic powerhouse Ed Perlmutter: Libertarian Tyler Bagley has withdrawn from 7th Congressional District race and endorsed him.

“Understanding this race is so close, I am honored to support Don Ytterberg,” Bagley said, in a news release. “I believe his small business background and common sense solutions will benefit Colorado families. I ask third party and swing voters to support Don Ytterberg for Congress.”

“After analyzing Don’s agenda and meeting with him, it became apparent that we agree on most matters of importance to the people of Adams and Jefferson counties,” Bagley said. “I’m confident Don Ytterberg will improve things for District Seven.”

Jill Repella, a Douglas County commissioner who is the running mate of Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez, speaks to veterans on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014. The event was at the Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock. (Jon Murray, The Denver Post)

The United Veterans Committee of Colorado forum in Castle Rock drew candidates from a variety of races Thursday, and lieutenant governor candidate Jill Repella used her time at the podium to share a personal connection.

She held up a plaque her father once received to honor his service to the American Legion. It was the first time she’d shared it publicly, she said, recalling how important military service was to her as a child.

“I spent my childhood growing up in the American Legion (hall),” Repella told about 100 attendees. “It was my second home.”

Republicans aren’t talking about unseating Perlmutter, and the congressman’s campaign admits it’s a much more low-key race this year.

“I’ll be frank: our campaign is different than ones you’ve been hearing about in the news,” campaign manager Chris Kennedy wrote. “We aren’t flashy. We aren’t gimmicky. You won’t find any special tricks up our sleeves — though we all know Ed does a pretty nice cartwheel. If you’re looking for drama, look elsewhere. We certainly aren’t the most talked-about campaign in the state — and we’re OK with that.”

Commerce City has long boasted it has one of the longest Memorial Day parades in the country and a flurry of e-mails from Republicans and Democrats show they’re continuing their tradition of participating in it.

One e-mail from Republicans says those marching in the parade include Congressman Mike Coffman, running for re-election in the 6th District; Congressman Cory Gardner, running for the U.S. Senate; Don Ytterberg, running against Perlmutter in the 7th District; and Chief Deputy AG Cynthia Coffman, running for attorney general.

Here’s one e-mail from Adam County Democrats that references state Sen. Mary Hodge of Brighton:

“We will using Dick and Mary Hodge’s bus as a float and we could use your help to put posters and banners on it. We will be gathering at 8:00 AM on Pontiac St. South of 64th Ave. … !”

Ytterberg said he had invited his 7th Congressional District opponent to debate jobs and the economy after the congressman’s office suggested those issues were the voters’ No. 1 priority and Republican and Democrat ideas should be vetted by voters.

He hasn’t heard back from his Democratic rival.

“I kind of feel like I am getting stood up for prom,” Ytterberg said. “I guess I can sit by the phone and hope he calls or continue to check my inbox, hoping he writes.”

In reality, without a primary it’s probably waaaay too early to talk debates. If I were Perlmutter I would tell Yetterberg, “Just keep sitting by that phone. Don’t move. I’ll call you.”

But in this election cycle, the focus will be on other races: U.S. Senate, governor and the Congressional District 6 faceoff between Democrat Andrew Romanoff and Republican incumbent Mike Coffman. In addition, some of the most high profile state Senate races are in Jefferson County, where Perlmutter has lived his entire life.

Yetterberg has served as vice chair of the state GOP and chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He ran for the state Senate in 2008, losing to state Sen. Dan Gibbs of Summit County.

Ytterberg touts his roots in the state. His mother’s family traces its history back to statehood and her grandfather was treasurer of San Juan County around 1890 and her dad was president of the Colorado University senior class of 1917.

When Republican Lang Sias lost his state Senate race to Democrat Evie Hudak, Democratic political consultants around the state breathed a big sigh of relief.

It wasn’t just about keeping the Jefferson County Senate seat in Democratic hands.

In Sias, they saw a future star for the Republican Party, one who could be dangerous on a GOP bench. Sias is a former Top Gun naval instructor with a sterling military record, a lawyer with a business background, a former Democrat and unaffiliated voter who once donated to Democrat Mark Udall’s congressional campaign. He was certain to garner press in the state Senate.

“Lang Sias scares the crap out of out me,” admitted political consultant Steve Welchert.

“I’ll take the praise but I’d rather have a victory,” Sias said today.

Republicans have been showing up in droves at GOP victory offices around the state ever since the debate, said Ellie Wallace, Colorado victory communications director for the Republican National Committee.

Thursday, the day after the debate, was the single biggest volunteer recruitment day for Colorado this cycle, she said, noting that almost twice as many volunteers came in to help than had been recruited and were expected to show up.

Today, they had to almost double the number of phones at their state headquarters to accommodate the influx of new volunteers. It also was their biggest day of voter contact — calls and knocking on doors — in Colorado this election cycle.

Lynn Bartels thinks politics is like sports but without the big salaries and protective cups. The Washington Post's "The Fix" blog has named her one of Colorado's best political reporters and tweeters.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.